Fortunately, our digital age has created some wonderful tools for finding employers and showing your strengths. But when it comes to discovering or keeping a job, nothing beats good old-fashioned face time and up-to-date skills.

What can we be in life? Few figures in history have answered this question with as much clarity and moral authority as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

My first ambition in life, I made up my mind I was going to become Miles Davis. I studied music, music theory. I played trumpet for nine years. One day, my mother explained, 'You can't be Miles Davis. There's one, and he's got that job.'

No matter what you accomplish, when you're doing something you're truly passionate about... the opportunities are always going to be bigger.

Everything that I learned in the Navy, I took it with me into the next phase of my life.

I had spent years in the United States military. Specifically in the U.S. Navy.

I didn't grow up in a household where dinner conversation was, 'How did the market do today?'

I cut grass, I did yard work, I did roofing, I cleaned basements to take care of my family.

Will Smith played Chris Gardner better than Chris Gardner ever did.

Probably the hardest question I get asked is, 'How do I choose between passion and practicality?' I can't answer that. I had to do both. I was passionate about pursuing a career in financial services. But I was also passionate about feeding my child.